Full Breakdown
Shift in American and Jewish Opinion on Israel-Palestine Policy (June-July 2026)
7/10/2026, 6:10:23 PM
Core Findings of the June 11-17, 2026 AP-NORC Survey
- Survey of 3,040 U.S. adults, including 1,022 Jewish respondents (AmeriSpeak® Panel; overall margin ± 2.8 pts, Jewish-adult margin ± 5.0 pts).
- Democrats: 58 % say the United States is “too supportive” of Israel (up from 45 % in Jan 2024); 62 % say the U.S. is “not supportive enough” of the Palestinians (up from 49 %). Among Jewish Democrats, 51 % share the “too supportive” view.
- Republicans: 60 % describe U.S. support for Israel as “about right.” Only 13 % label Israel’s actions as genocide; the share is higher among Republicans < 45 (20 %) than those >= 45 (10 %).
- Genocide perception: 30 % of Jewish adults say Israel has committed genocide in Gaza; 49 % say it has not; 21 % are unsure. Among all U.S. adults, 31 % hold the same “genocide” view.
- Political representation: 63 % of Jewish adults feel not well represented by either major party; only 15 % rate the Democratic Party’s support for Jews as “extremely” or “very” good.
- Leader favorability: 44 % of Jewish adults view NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani favorably versus 32 % for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; 39 % view Mamdani unfavorably, 59 % view Netanyahu unfavorably.
- Issue importance: 60 % of Jewish adults say Israel is “extremely” or “very” important to them personally, compared with 35 % of the general adult population.
Background: From Bipartisan Backing to Polarized Debate
For decades the United States provided steady bipartisan support for Israel. The war that began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack and Israel’s subsequent Gaza campaign has triggered a historic reassessment. Earlier polls (2020-2022) showed roughly three-quarters of Americans viewing U.S. Israel support as appropriate; the 2026 data mark a sharp erosion, especially within the Democratic Party.
Demographic Divides in Attitudes Toward Israel
- Religious vs. secular Jews: 40 % of religious Jews feel “very or extremely” emotionally attached to Israel, versus 11 % of secular Jews; 45 % of secular Jews say they feel no connection at all.
- Age gap: 37 % of Jews < 45 say Israel has committed genocide, compared with 23 % of those >= 45.
- Party affiliation: 66 % of Jewish voters identified as Democrats in the 2024 election, yet 58 % now say U.S. support for Israel is excessive.
Why It Matters: Political and Social Consequences
- Electoral impact: The Democratic shift could shape 2026 midterm strategies, as candidates must address a constituency increasingly skeptical of unconditional Israel support.
- Community cohesion: 55 % of Jewish adults report being offended by others’ comments about Israel; 40 % have disagreed with family members; 30 % have cut off contact because of Israel-related disputes.
- Antisemitism concerns: 77 % of Jewish adults perceive antisemitism as a more serious problem than three years ago, while only 38 % of the general public share that view.
Criticism & Opposition
Jewish respondents voiced frustration with both parties. Yahm Levin, a 39-year-old Jewish Democrat from Los Angeles, said she “doesn’t feel comfortable in leftist circles anymore” because of pressure to adopt an anti-Israel stance. Max Sacher, a 27-year-old Jewish Republican from Austin, called the Trump-Netanyahu diplomatic effort with Iran “embarrassing” and described himself as “politically homeless.” Both highlighted a sense of isolation despite historically strong party identification.
On-the-Ground Perspectives
- Levin recounted seeing a “Death to Zionists” graffiti sign on Los Angeles’ Olvera Street, underscoring personal safety concerns.
- Joy Jennik, a 73-year-old Democrat from Wisconsin, shifted from “no strong opinions” to labeling Israel’s actions as genocide after the October 7 massacre.
- Mike Cardona, a 70-year-old Republican from Phoenix, defended Israel’s tactics, stating, “Unfortunately, some innocents will be hurt, but Hamas and Hezbollah never took that into consideration.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Genocide assessment: 30 % of Jewish adults say Israel committed genocide, while 49 % deny it; 21 % are undecided, indicating no consensus.
- Support levels: 58 % of Democrats view U.S. Israel support as excessive, yet 60 % of Republicans still consider it “about right,” revealing a stark partisan split without cross-party agreement on policy direction.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I realize that there is a threat from Hamas. And I realize they’re in a very difficult situation, but what they have done is just an unspeakable horror. They’re trying to wipe out a civilization as far as I’m concerned.” — Harold Kalmus, 69, Democrat, Arden, Delaware
- “I tend to be more in line with the far left in just about everything else. But now the far left is attacking the Jewish community,” — Yahm Levin, 39, Democrat, Los Angeles, California
- “It’s one of the most embarrassing documents I’ve read. It basically cedes everything to Iran,” — Max Sacher, 27, Republican, Austin, Texas
- “Unfortunately, some innocents will be hurt, but Hamas and Hezbollah never took that into consideration when they were killing children and women in Israel.” — Mike Cardona, 70, Republican, Phoenix, Arizona
- “The Gaza Strip — there’s not a lot left of it. Those poor people are barely living,” — Joy Jennik, 73, Democrat, Brookfield, Wisconsin
What’s Next
The poll’s release precedes the 2026 midterm elections, where candidates are expected to articulate clearer positions on U.S. aid levels, the definition of genocide, and the broader Israel-Palestine policy. No specific legislative or diplomatic actions have been announced, but the data suggest both parties will need to address the evolving attitudes of Democratic voters and the Jewish electorate as the conflict continues to shape American politics.
